Opposition anger as Bill rushed through Dáil

THE GOVERNMENT was yesterday accused of trying to suppress debate on new laws which will water down social and affordable housing rules.

Key elements of the controversial Planning Bill was forced through the Dáil in just nine minutes without debate in what opposition parties described as a display of contempt for the national legislature.

Labour's environment spokesman Eamon Gilmore said Fianna Fáil was acting as if it was a sub office of the Construction Industry Federation by refusing to allow time for the legislation to be debated.